A/N 1: Thank you to everyone who is still reading this. Special thanks to those who have dropped a kind review. Seeing proof that there are people out there who are enjoying this story I am crafting. . . It makes me feel lighter than air. Thank you.
A/N 2: There is some made-up Twi'lek language in this chapter. Wookiepedia did not have much to go on for the Twi'lek language, so I improvised. It's just for flavour, so you don't need to puzzle over the meaning. I tried to write those parts so the meaning would convey itself regardless of the unfamiliar words.
Without further adieu, here is the next chapter:
RESOLVE I
10.
Garen was twirling idly in a hoverchair when Obi-Wan walked into his room in the Halls of Healing. His broken leg was fixed in a plastoid splint and extended out in front of him like a battering ram.
"Ah! There he is," Garen said as soon as he caught sight of his friend. "You've finally decided to face me in one-on-one combat."
"Not quite, I'm afraid," Obi-Wan said as he leaned against the bed and pointed at Garen's reinforced leg. "I'd be far too frightened to face down that monstrosity in a duel."
"Master Che said this cast would stop blaster fire. Do you believe that?"
"Not for a moment," Obi-Wan laughed. "When will you be set free?"
"Tomorrow, probably," Garen said. "I'm mostly healed. It's just the leg now. Another week or two and I'll be good as new. What about you? You look like you're ready to leave on a mission."
Jedi travelled light. They only kept with them that which they could carry on their person. The difference between a Jedi at the Temple and a Jedi on mission was slight. It lay in the utility belt, and Obi-Wan's was fully equipped.
He was not surprised that Garen had noticed.
"Yes, I'm leaving soon," Obi-Wan said. "I came to tell you that our tête-à-tête spar will have to be postponed."
"Long mission?" Garen's brows drew together in concern. Their spar wouldn't happen until his leg was healed, and if Obi-Wan wouldn't be back by then, surely the mission was projected to be difficult.
Indefinite, Obi-Wan thought. "It has the potential to become quite drawn-out," he said instead.
"Well, don't leave me hanging in suspense, Obi," Garen said, his cheer had rapidly given way to subdued attention.
"It's a sensitive situation," Obi-Wan said. "I'm sorry, Garen. I can't say more than that at the moment."
"It's all right," Garen manoeuvred the hoverchair closer and grabbed his old friend by the upper arm. "Just be safe out there."
Obi-Wan nodded. He didn't want to drag the farewell out, so he locked arms with Garen and said, "It's late. I better get going, and you better rest."
"May the Force be with you," Garen said.
"And you, my friend," Obi-Wan walked towards the door. He slid it open with a gentle use of the Force.
"Obi-Wan," Garen said suddenly, stopping him in the doorway. "Check in with me as soon as you return."
Obi-Wan hesitated. He did not trust his words right then. Garen would pick up on any attempted lie, and Obi-Wan knew his return to the Jedi Temple depended entirely on the outcome of what he was about to do. He settled for a simple nod, then left the room. The door slid closed behind him.
The hanger bay housed less activity than usual. Droids were busy fixing general wear and tear to ships and speeders, refuelling, repainting, and in some cases rebuilding entire pieces. Obi-Wan took a seat next to a maintenance bay and waited.
Nearly an hour later one of the shuttles was moved from its docking platform to the landing and take-off zone. Obi-Wan stood and moved towards it. The droid in charge was walking around the shuttle, checking things off on a datapad.
"Is this the shuttle bound for Kashyyyk?" Obi-Wan asked.
"That is correct," the droid responded. "But you are not Master Ry-Gaul."
"I talk far too much to be Ry-Gaul," Obi-Wan said. The humour was lost on the droid.
"This shuttle has been requisitioned by Master Ry-Gaul," the droid said, unecessarily, then continued with its mission to thoroughly inspect every inch of the starship.
Obi-Wan gave the droid a wan smile, then made himself comfortable on the open landing ramp of the shuttle. He took out his datapad and studied the map of Kashyyyk he'd loaded onto it.
The Wookiee homeworld was a lush planet, covered in vast forests and jungles with intertwining seas, lakes, and rivers. It was a beautiful planet with a rich culture. Obi-Wan checked the distance from the proposed landing site to the nearest spaceport. It was just over one hundred kilometres. Not too bad, he thought.
A ripple in the Force drew Obi-Wan's attention from his datapad to the hanger bay entrance. Ry-Gaul and his padawan, Tru Veld, approached the shuttle.
"Kenobi," Ry-Gaul greeted him with a nod. Tru bowed low.
"Are we all set?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes master," Tru said. "Thank you again for joining us."
"It's my pleasure, Tru," Obi-Wan said. "I'm getting used to playing the prey in these survival exercises."
"Ferus told me he almost got you," Tru grinned. "You went easy on him, didn't you?"
"Hmm, I wouldn't say I made it difficult or easy," Obi-Wan rubbed his beard. "I simply made sure he would learn something along the way."
Ry-gaul walked up the ramp behind them, satisfied to leave them to their discussion. Obi-Wan turned to look at the tall Jedi Master as he disappeared into the ship. He held out an arm, indicating for Tru to get on board as well. The eighteen year old Teevan padawan quickly followed the unspoken command, and Obi-Wan brought up the rear. He used the Force to trigger the ramp's closing sequence.
Ry-Gaul completed the last system check when Obi-Wan reached the cockpit. Tru had taken the co-pilot's seat, which left Obi-Wan with one of the passenger seats. He didn't mind. Flying was for droids, and he'd done his fair share in recent weeks.
If Obi-Wan believed in luck he'd call himself a very lucky man right then;
When he'd left Siri and Ferus' quarters he'd very conveniently run into Ry-Gaul by the turbolifts. The Jedi Master had been looking for a short notice replacement for his padawan's survival training. The Knight who was supposed to join them had gotten himself injured during a practice spar earlier that day.
Obi-Wan needed a discreet way to leave the Temple and disappear, and the Force had provided, it seemed. He only regretted that he would have to, quite literally, turn Tru Veld's training into a real situation. When Ry-Gaul realised what was going on, as the Jedi Master inevitably would, he would track Obi-Wan clear off the outlined sector and straight to the Rwookrrorro Spaceport where, hopefully, the trail would go cold.
He did not want to drag anyone down into condemnation alongside him.
Mace Windu understood, and that meant the council understood. But they would never publicly acknowledge the truth. More harm than good would come from revealing the morality of Obi-Wan's actions. It was a concept that Obi-Wan still struggled to accept. He was a Jedi, and a Jedi at its very core was an honest and compassionate being. It pained him to see how warped circumstances were forcing the Jedi to behave. What saddened him more was that he could see why it was happening, and why the Jedi were powerless to prevent it.
Were they in such dire straits now because they'd grown complacent since the Ruusan Reformation? Obi-Wan only hoped that the danger would not change them so much that they forgot where they came from and who they were.
"Something on your mind, Kenobi?" Ry-Gaul said. That in itself was a surprise, since the Jedi Master hardly spoke unless he had something important to say.
"Many things," Obi-Wan said, and decided to tell a half-truth that would hopefully prevent Ry-Gaul from asking more questions. "I was thinking about the different ways relations between the Republic and the CIS might unfold, and where the Jedi would fit in."
"The Jedi will stand by the Republic for as long as its ideals are upheld," Ry-Gaul said and began piloting the shuttle out of the hangar bay and into the upper atmosphere.
Obi-Wan didn't reply. He took out his datapad and settled in for the journey to the Wookiee homeworld.
From space Kashyyyk was one of the most beautiful planets Obi-Wan had ever seen. It's tropical climate allowed for an abundance of plant life to thrive. The seas and lakes were clear as crystal, thanks to a mineral found in the sediment. The very same mineral was also responsible for giving the waters its turquoise colouring.
However, being on the surface of the planet was an entirely different experience.
Wild and untamed is an understatement, Obi-Wan thought as he leaped clear over the lethally sharp tail of a striking Anakkona. Ry-Gaul must really want to push his padawan to his limits. Teevan flexibility and agility aside, the sector he chose is a death trap.
The front end of the Anakkona emerged from the thick brush. It glared at Obi-Wan with alarmingly yellow eyes. It's scaly ears fanned out around it's face in aggressive posture. Its fangs were as thick as Obi-Wan's thigh and he didn't fancy getting close to them.
The giant snake coiled itself to strike again, and Obi-Wan leaped out of the way with a split second to spare. He landed on a thick branch ten meters up a tree. The Anakkona's sense of smell would lead him to Obi-Wan's position within seconds, but he had a brief moment to think.
Two days had passed since the sunrise he'd set out from the shuttle. Ry-Gaul and Tru would have started their tracking exercise at noon. That meant he'd had at most half a day's lead on them. Obi-Wan needed to get to Rwookrrorro with enough time and distance between him and the other Jedi so he could afford delays at the Spaceport. Public freighters left at scheduled times, after all. One wouldn't simply up and depart because Obi-Wan asked politely.
Obi-Wan needed transport to further widen the gap between him and the other Jedi.
Well, Obi-Wan wasn't one to look a gift Anakkona in the mouth. It truly was a magnificent specimen of the species. He didn't know their scales could be quite so green. Somehow he expected it to reflect the colour of mud more than the colour of spring leaves.
The Anakkona found Obi-Wan and lashed out with it's powerful head. It struck the branch like a battering ram, wood splinters flying everywhere. Obi-Wan again leaped away in the nick of time. If he weren't Force-sensitive and trained as a Jedi he'd have been crushed and eaten when he'd first strayed into the giant snake's territory.
It wasn't his intention to upset the local wildlife—and he briefly wondered how Tru would deal with the Anakkona later—but an opportunity presented itself and Obi-Wan would grab at it.
This will be quite a story to tell Anakin when I find him, Obi-Wan thought. Well, either that or I'm about to get eaten.
Obi-Wan landed on the Anakkona, right behind its skull. He gripped its neck with his legs as tightly as he dared and focused himself within the Force. He sought out the Anakkona's mind, and found a seething pit of rage and killing intent towards the trespasser.
It took a colossal effort to calm the beast into docility. He'd quieted plenty of raging beasts in the past—a skill Qui-Gon had insisted upon—but never anything so large and territorial. Sweat formed on Obi-Wan's brow at the effort, but his hold on the Anakkona's mind was firm.
Ever so gently he compelled the creature to begin moving north, towards Rwookrrorro. It slithered away elegantly. Obi-Wan was briefly amazed at how fluid the motion was. Certainly he'd expected slithering, but still he was pleasantly surprised that they were sailing instead of jerking to and fro as one tended to do when riding quadrupedal creatures. It was as though gravity had no effect on the Anakkona, and as a result Obi-Wan didn't have to work hard to stay seated atop the great beast.
He flattened himself to the snake's scales as they began to pick up speed. Vegetation rushed by in a green blur, and an hour later Obi-Wan could see the tree city of Rwookrrorro in the distance.
The Wookiees won't thank me if I bring a giant predator into their capital, Obi-Wan thought. He brought the Anakkona to a stop and slid off it's neck to land lightly on the ground. Slowly he backed away, hands outstretched, and through the Force compelled the giant snake to turn around. Before he relinquished his control of the beast he suggested a feeling to the creatures mind; the feeling of returning home. Obi-Wan didn't know if it would work. He held his breath as he released the Anakkona.
It paused, disoriented for a moment. It stuck its head in the air, large tongue flicking out to taste the air, then turned towards Obi-Wan.
Delving into the Force once more Obi-Wan brought another powerful suggestion to the beast's mind, and he instantly became invisible to the great Anakkona.
It slithered away.
Obi-Wan breathed a short sigh of relief, then began his sprint towards Rwookrrorro. All things considered he'd made great time, his tunics weren't mud-spattered, and he was still in possession of his cloak.
Rwookrrorro Spaceport was an oddity. It was built around and between giant wroshyr trees, and as such had a very organic structure. Obi-Wan wasn't immediately certain which section housed private vessels, and which catered to public transportation. To a newcomer the place certainly seemed a bit jumbled.
"Nu kalo loor, ma palay!"
Obi-Wan turned his head and saw a Twi'lek child of about ten looking at him, a friendly smile spread across his face. The pinkish hue of his skin stood in stark contrast to the green vegetation surrounding the spaceport.
"Ma vunin dayla ma paola," Obi-Wan said. The young Twi'lek's Lekku twitched in surprise. Obi-Wan smiled. The kid probably didn't expect a human to know his language.
"Good, good!" The boy said in basic. "Rackus. . . er. . . Happy? Yes. Happy my heart makes when man speak Twi'leki!"
"It is a beautiful language," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes, yes! More should speak, ne?" He said and grabbed a bemused Obi-Wan by the arm. He started leading him deeper into the spaceport.
"Silais!" An angry feminine voice sounded. "Silais, opo puned zeladas!"
The boy quickly let go of Obi-Wan's arm and turned to the approaching female Twi'lek. She was older, Obi-Wan noted, with the same pinkish hue skin as the boy. His mother, perhaps, Obi-Wan thought. Both of them had striking green eyes.
"I'm so sorry for my nephew," she said. "It's his first time away from Ryloth and he's been pestering travellers all day."
"Helping," the boy said. "Helping, nomi."
"He thinks he's helping, but mostly he just confuses them," she said. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
Obi-Wan spread his senses. The woman was being truthful, and the boy. . . he seemed to hide a deep sadness behind his friendly smile. He was there with his aunt. First time away from Ryloth. Perhaps something had happened to the boy's family.
"He was no trouble," Obi-Wan said with a gentle smile. "He asked if I were lost and I told him that I always find my way. But I must admit this spaceport has me turning in circles."
"Ah yes, Kashyyyk can have that effect on newcomers," she said. "Where are you headed? Maybe I can point you in the right way."
"I'm looking for transport off world," Obi-Wan said. "I need to get to the P-5 sector."
"P-5?" The Twi'lek woman tilted her head in surprise. "We are heading to P-5 next, to Toprawa. I'm with the Galactic Republic Botanical Association. We're doing a survey of the forested worlds."
Toprawa was probably as close to Serenno as Obi-Wan was going to get on a direct route. "I don't suppose you have room for a stowaway?" he asked.
"That would depend," she said.
"On?"
"On if you bring trouble with you," she said. "Forgive me, you seem nice enough, but if you end up being of violent nature or. . . I have my nephew and my crew to think about."
"Of course," Obi-Wan said. "I would never endanger any of you. It is against the Jedi Code to cause distress or harm to innocents."
"You're a Jedi?" Her mouth dropped open in surprise. Next to her Silais bounced up and down as he pointed at Obi-Wan's lightsaber.
Obi-Wan gave a respectful bow. "My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
"I am Oola Toqema," the Twi'lek woman said. "And of course, master Jedi. Of course we can help you. We leave in an hour. Docking bay H-11. I have some things to take care of before we depart, but Silais can show you the way."
"You have my most sincere gratitude," Obi-Wan said.
"Chini, wachamio!" Silais said, excitement in every syllable. Obi-Wan let the boy grab him by the hand again. The boy's eagerness to help warmed his heart. "Wachamio!"
Let's go!
Master Ry-Gaul,
I hope this finds you and Tru both well, and I humbly apologise for disappearing during the survival exercise. There is something important that I must do, and I could not leave the Temple by conventional means. No one knows where I am headed, and it is better this way.
The Force has shown me a path I must travel, and I am afraid that it appears as though that path does not lead back to the Jedi Temple. Not for a long time, at least. I regret having to involve you and your padawan in such an underhanded way.
The Force has willed me into action. I know it is of little consolation, but it is what it is.
May the Force be with you. Always.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan sent the text communication to the Jedi shuttle's comm-station, then disabled his comlink.
Duracrete pillars rose from a forested floor, supporting great stone walkways. On one side a steep mountain cast heavy shadows across the architecture, while the other side gave way to a lush green valley. The towering pillars were raised heavenward, growing ever upward in tall, jutting, dome-topped spires.
Inside the spires the halls were dark, illuminated only by the faint glow of the orange sensors along the walls. A door stood open, a red glow coming from within.
Closer. Obi-Wan needed to get closer.
The room was large. Two figures cloaked in shadow were before him. One lay on the ground, prone and wearing tattered clothes. His hair long, dirty, and falling over his face. He was shivering.
Standing over him was an old man. Elegant. Hair and beard as white as snow, and in his hand a weapon forged in hatred. A red lightsaber.
The figure on the ground shifted, his hair blew back in a sudden gust of wind. Blue eyes defiant.
Anakin!
Obi-Wan snapped awake.
He'd fallen asleep against the bulkhead with his head at an awkward angle. He brought a shaking hand to rub at the soreness that had settled in his neck. A bead of sweat dripped down his nose. Obi-Wan quickly wiped his face on the sleeve of his cloak.
He took a deep breath.
"Nu athuvel?"
Obi-Wan glanced to his left. Silais leaned against the opposite bulkhead, playing with a datapad. He looked at Obi-Wan with concern etched deep in his green eyes.
"I'm all right," Obi-Wan smiled, dimples showing. It seemed to put the boy at ease.
"All right," Silais mimicked as he turned his attention back to his datapad. "Jedi distombe. . . hmm. . . strong. Jedi are strong. I want be strong like Jedi."
"You are already strong, Silais," Obi-Wan said. "Kindness is the greatest strength there is."
Silais looked at him with confusion.
"Nu alkla distombe, Silais" Obi-Wan repeated, this time in Twi'leki. "Senhalay thuma distombe daris."
Wonder replaced the confusion in the boy's eyes. He then grinned shyly down at his datapad. Obi-Wan stood, briefly touched Silais on the head in a gesture of fond acknowledgement, then left the compartment.
He found Oola in the galley.
"How long until we arrive on Toprawa?"
"We'll be reverting soon," she said. "Maybe twenty minutes."
"Thank you again for accommodating me," Obi-Wan said. "Your generosity will not be forgotten."
"You are most welcome, master Jedi," Oola said.
The spaceport on Toprawa wasn't as busy as the one on Kashyyyk, but there were many small freighters docked. Obi-Wan walked around, senses spread and looked for a pilot who seemed competent and willing. The first he encountered was filled with greed, the second was thinking only about his next fix of spice, and the third exuded so much disdain at being on such a human planet, that Obi-Wan almost physically recoiled.
Obi-Wan sensed desperation from the fourth pilot he found. He looked to be in his mid to late thirties, but his brown hair was quickly greying. He looked like a man in trouble.
"Excuse me," Obi-Wan said as he approached the man and his ship. "I'm looking for a pilot willing to undertake a short journey in the sector."
"I'd be willing," the man said as he stuck his hands in the pockets of his synth-leather jacket. "For the right price."
"I can pay you in republic credits," Obi-Wan said.
"This sector, you said?" The man glanced around the spaceport. "Ten thousand."
"Ten thousand?" Obi-Wan raised his brows. "Isn't that a little steep?"
"Look, I have bills to pay and kids to feed," he said. "Take it or leave it."
The man's abrasive approach did not surprise Obi-Wan. What surprised him was the hope. The hope that Obi-Wan would hire him despite the absurd price. The man was definitely in trouble, but Obi-Wan sensed no greed in him.
"Ten thousand?" Obi-Wan asked again.
"Yes."
Obi-Wan nodded and asked, "How soon can we leave?"
"Uh, immediately after I receive payment," the man said, startled.
"Half now, half upon arrival," Obi-Wan said as he handed over the appropriate number of credits.
"Done," the pilot said. "My name's Dantro Kerwald."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi."
They cleared their departure with the port authority, and left the system. After a short hyperspace jump they reverted within the Serenno system. The planet loomed large before them.
Obi-Wan felt a pull towards the secluded mountain ranges of the southern regions of the planet and directed Dantro to a clearing in the middle of nowhere.
"Are you sure this is where you want me to drop you off, Kenobi?"
"Absolutely," Obi-Wan said as he handed over the rest of the agreed upon fee. "Thank you for getting me here safely."
"No," Dantro said. "I should be thanking you. I was this close to selling my ship when you came along."
"Desperate times?"
"It's my kid," he said. "He got caught up in a gang war, collateral. That word is so callous, you know? Anyway, lost both his hands. I need the credits so I can give him back his hands. He's only twelve. A boy needs his hands."
Dantro's eyes were shining by the time he stopped speaking. Obi-Wan didn't need to be Force-sensitive to see and feel the man's sincerity, and his gratitude.
"He'll be all right," Obi-Wan said. "He's fortunate to have a father like you."
"Listen," Dantro said, wiping a hand across his eyes in embarrassment. "Are you sure you'll be all right out here?"
Obi-Wan stepped off the landing ramp of the small freighter.
"The Force will be with me," Obi-Wan said as he turned and gave Dantro a neat bow.
The man seemed taken aback for a moment. Then he waved and started closing the landing ramp. "Figures," Dantro muttered with a chuckle.
The light feeling stayed with Obi-Wan until he saw Dantro's ship disappear into the upper atmosphere. In his journey to find Anakin he had been able to help a desperate father. For a moment Obi-Wan allowed himself to feel uninhibited joy. Then, he released the feeling into the Force and focused on the task ahead.
Soon he would learn what had become of Anakin, and likely face Count Dooku in the process.
He hoped he was ready.
A/N: The characters we met in this chapter will likely show up again, but not until book 3. That being said, I am currently working on the last chapter of book 2. This first books will conclude at chapter 13!